Higher Education

The role of the Higher Education office at St Edmund's is to support and advise our Sixth Form pupils in their choice of university or further learning institution, and through the application process itself. Most of our Upper Sixth Form pupils apply for university, and we are pleased to say that many are accepted at the institution of their first choice: this has included top universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, UCL, York and Nottingham, as well as established newer universities such as Oxford Brookes. Pupils have also won places in the highly competitive medical schools, at leading music conservatoires such as the Royal Northern College of Music, and on vocational courses such as those at the Royal Agricultural College.

Whilst most of the work of the Higher Education office centres on the Upper Sixth year, we ensure that pupils in the Lower Sixth are also starting to focus on their future choice of university and course, with advice on the selection of which AS levels to continue to A2. Time is taken to visit the Connexions Higher Education Fair which takes place at the neighbouring University of Kent campus; Lower Sixth pupils may also attend open days during the summer term, and guest speakers will cover topics such as university life and gap years.

Typically, Upper Sixth Form pupils will complete their UCAS forms at the start of the academic year, supported by our Higher Education and careers advisers, and our extensive prospectus library; individual tutors and subject teachers will also offer support as desired. Once the applications have been made, assistance is given with interviews and with the selection of the most appropriate offer which might include deferred entry post A level. Advice is given in cases where pupils wish to apply for financial assistance for their chosen courses.